Farmer's £18k bill to move sheep just five miles amid bluetongue 'chaos'

WELSH Government restrictions on farmers are causing “chaos”, with one farmer reportedly given an £18,000 bill to move his sheep just five miles across the border from England.

- CHRIS HAINES and RUTH MOSALSKI

Bluetongue is a viral disease which is spread by biting midges, and affects sheep, cattle, goats and deer, llama and alpaca.

It is circulating in England and Wales. Rarely, it can affect dogs and other carnivores but it does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety.

The Welsh Government earlier this month said it was introducing limits on moving livestock and that from June 20, any susceptible animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas moving from a bluetongue restricted zone to Wales to live will require a specific movement licence and testing before moving.

If an animal is showing clinical signs on the day of transport they cannot move to Wales. The measures will be in place until July 1, the Welsh Government said.

Wales’ rural affairs minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said when the changes were made it was not “feasible or realistic that we can keep the disease out forever. At the same time, I cannot in all conscience invite bluetongue into Wales.

“I am unwilling to risk the uncertain impact of the disease in livestock dense areas like the Welsh borders. I am also extremely concerned about the economic and farmer wellbeing impacts of dealing with sick animals, and the livestock productivity and fertility losses associated with severe bluetongue, as observed in many affected European countries.